You'll Ruin your dinner.... Sweet Memories from an Irish Childhoodis a new book by Damian Corless. All those nostalgic sweetie moments from our childhoods are captured by Damian as he relives his younger, sugar-fuelled days. A self-confessed sweet tooth, Damian is also one of Ireland's foremost journalists. He works with the Irish Independent and is former editor of In Dublin and Magill. More of his books include GUBU Nation (2004) and The Greatest Bleeding Hearts Racket In The World (2010).
I haven't read the book yet but managed to leaf through it on a recent trip to my local book store. It promises to be an entertaining read and I'm sure Urney Chocolates gets a mention along with favourite brands of the day such as HB Ices and Cleeves. Interesting interview with Damian here. I look forward to discovering the book in my Christmas stocking in a few weeks.
As I finished my last post I remembered that my original idea for a book was the much humbler affair of an illustrated story about the life of Eileen Gallagher. That was before the project sprouted legs and became Sweet Memories the Story of Urney Chocolates, a book about Urney's the factory and a celebration of all who worked there. But in those initial days I created a few illustrations. So I am including one here that relates to Eileen's father and his passion for organ playing. I must find a proper home for these illustrations. More to come in following posts. Perhaps a small children's story? As always, all suggestions welcome!
I've been so busy in the garden this summer that my Urney blog has been sadly neglected. My poly tunnel is producing courgettes to beat the band- suggested uses for same are very welcome. I've been sneaking courgettes into most of my dishes and even tried my hand at a courgette sorbet which my family very politely ate with approving gestures. I'm touched by their tact but I promise, I won't be making any more. *sighs of relief all round..*
I'm sure great-granny Eileen Gallagher would know what to do with a glut of veggies. A chutney-making enterprise perhaps? Afterall, it was the jam that she made from the excess fruit in her garden that launched a cottage industry that later became Urney Chocolates. "Urney Chocolates grew out of a jam pot" as Eileen's husband Harry was fond of saying. I often wondered what it was that made Eileen such an astute business woman. Her determination and practical nature would have helped. Early family life would also have shaped her thinking. She was the youngest of 16 children and despite both her parents coming from well-off families, Eileen saw her mother struggle financially. Her father John had been destined to take over the family business in New Ross, Co. Wexford but preferred to spend his time playing the organ while the family's fortunes dwindled away. It's safe to say Eileen didn't inherit his business acumen (or lack of..). Eileen's mother, Mary Ellen, on the other hand became an adept seamstress and frugal housekeeper and managed to keep up the illusion of comfortable living. She was fortunate to get annual income from her own family, who were related to MP John Redmond. While the allowance would have helped enormously it must have been difficult. No doubt it would have strengthened Eileen's resolve for financial security in later life. And the instilled notion that you couldn't always rely on the traditional bread-winner to provide for you, may have made her more independent and unconventional? Well, we can only speculate. Now...anyone for a slice of courgette cake?
"Sweet Memories, the Story of Urney Chocolates", the exhibition, has returned to it's original host, The Irish Agricultural Museum in Wexford. It was unveiled here for the first time in July 2009 and having visited many of the libraries in South County Dublin over the last two years, it is back for another stint in the sunny south east. So if you missed it first time 'round, now is your chance to catch it. Seven display panels summarize the history of the factory from it's inception to it's closure, capturing the highs and lows of over 50 yearsmaking chocolate. The book is also available for sale at the museum, which is a fascinating place and well worth a visit if you haven't already been. The museum is set in the picturesque grounds of Johnstown Castle, another great reason to drop by.
An intriguing parcel arrived in my postbox last week from my good friend John Haire of Strabane. I was pleasantly surprised to find a book about the history of the parish of Urney. Urney parish consists of townlands from counties Tyrone and Donegal and it was where Urney Chocolates first began trading in 1919. Leafing through the book I came upon the chapter "Urney Chocolates, Sweet Success" written by John's brother William. It details the history of the factory from its inception to its closure.
There is a lovely anecdote about factory founder Eileen Gallagher in her role of traveling saleswoman during the factory's early years. Eileen noticed that one shop down the country was placing large orders for Urney produce. She asked the shopkeeper how the customers liked the sweets only to get the reply "The farmers find them great in their tea as sugar is still rationed." Probably not the answer Eileen had hoped for! Luckily, this lack of appreciation for her efforts as confectioner did not dampen her spirits too much and the business went from strength to strength.
The publication, titled Urney, History, People, Place (ISBN: 978-0-9568891-0-2) covers all aspects of parish life from remarkable individuals that came from the area to religion, farming and industry. Published by Doneyloop Youth Club and edited by Daniel McMenamin, many authors have contributed to the publication resulting in a valuable and engaging local history resource. Thank you John!
If you go into The Book Centre in Wexford town you will now find Sweet Memories, the Story of Urney Chocolates on their 'Local Interest' shelves. I am delighted to say that the shop have kindly agreed to stock the book where it retails at the same price of €15. The Book Centre have always supported local authors and Wexford certainly has more than it's fair share of literary talent. There is an impressive range of local interest/history books on display in the shop. I always find great gifts here for relatives living abroad. So if happen to be on the Main Street in Wexford, do pop in. Customers are encouraged not just to browse but to make themselves at home; to sit and read, enjoy a coffee and biscuit in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Today I collected the Urney Chocolates exhibition from Tallaght Library. Sile, from Local Studies Department, had carefully packed and padded the display boards, prints, sweet tins and boxes ready for transit back to Wexford. The exhibition, having spent the last seven months touring the libraries of South Dublin, is now looking forward to visiting new venues. All invitations welcome!
Incidentally, not only do the libraries of South Dublin house physical copies of Sweet Memories, The Story of Urney Chocolates, the book is also available for lending as a digital download from their website. The advancement of technology never ceases to amaze me.....
A fine crowd turned up for our Wexford book launch in D'Lush Café last Saturday. The café is just the perfect setting for an intimate gathering and the D'Lush staff worked tirelessly to keep folk fed and watered. Linda's delicious chocolate brownies were a huge hit and, I suspect, the main attraction! It was a great opportunity for everyone to catch up with old friends. Mayor Joe Ryan introduced the book with a warm and well-considered speech. Having grown up in Dublin, Joe was well familiar with Urney Chocolates. He fondly reflected on the lure of the infamous Two and Two bar and noted the factory's significance in Irish industrial history. A terrific night. Thanks to everyone for all the support. And special thanks to Zeno for being both photographer and financial controller on the night. Who said men can't multi-task!
Valentine's Day is fast approaching and many of us have chocolate on our minds. That makes it the perfect time of year to have our rescheduled "Sweet Memories" book launch. The Mayor, Joe Ryan, will launch the book on Saturday 12th Feb in D'Lush Café in Wexford Arts Centre at 7pm, prior to the Maeve Higgins show. There will be delectable home-made chocolate brownies and hot beverages served on the evening. For anyone looking to spoil their loved-one on Valentine's Day, a selection of mouth-wateringly delicious, chocolate goodies, lovingly crafted by Linda of D'Lush, will be available for sale. Linda honed her chocolate-making skills in Holland before returning to Wexford to set up the popular eatery- a favourite spot for both sweet-tooths and lovers of wholesome, healthy fare. And of course I'll be there on the 12th to sign copies of "Sweet memories- the Story of Urney Chocolates". Look forward to seeing you.
Can you believe it's 2011 already? Last year seemed to unravel in the blink of an eye. I'm looking forward to getting stuck into reading the books I got for Christmas. "Chocolate Wars: From Cadbury to Kraft: 200 years of Sweet Success and Bitter Rivalry" is first on my list. Written by a descendant of the Cadbury chocolate dynasty, Deborah Cadbury tells the engaging story of the Cadbury's chocolate factory from its inception to its recent takeover by Kraft. All the major English Chocolate brands such as Fry's and Rowntree's were started by Quaker families and the devout religious values that infiltrated their factories have long since given way to modern commerce. The world's chocolate industry is now dominated by just four multi-nationals; Kraft, Nestlé, Mars and Ferrero. Deborah, an acclaimed historian and documentary maker, details this fascinating journey in her book.
Incidently, Urney Chocolates founder Harry Gallagher also had Quaker roots. His mother, Harriet Thomas, came from a County Cork Quaker family. Harry certainly empathized with the Quaker ideal of caring for workers and he devoted much of his time creating a pleasant and safe environment for his employees. The Urney factory became known locally as the factory in a garden- just as the Cadbury factory had many years before in Victorian England.
I'm a graphic designer and illustrator with chocolate making in my ancestry. This blog helped me keep track of progress on the "Sweet Memories" project. Many people have kindly given me time, inspiration and personal anecdotes that have been instrumental in creating the project to date. Many thanks to you!
www.karennolandesign.ie
www.mizzwinkens.com
